'RAKENROL' musical play to restage bigger production at Ilocos Norte Centenial Arena

byonNovember 19, 2015

LAOAG CITY, Nov 18 — Following the successful premier of ‘RAKENROL’ last September, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) is set to bring the musical play back on stage on November 20, 2015, 6 p.m. at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena, this city.

The play set on the 1970s follows the story of Martin, Yolly, Mayang, Lola Skarlet and Manong Romy as they reminisce the wonderful events that transpired in the decade.

Governor Imee R. Marcos highlighted that the 1970s has been “the golden age of rock and roll, Original Pilipino Music (OPM), of indeed film, art and of all that was best in the Philippines.”

"RAKENROL" has been praised for its impeccable production and performance of its local young actors during its premier last September at the Teatro Ilocandia in Batac City.

“The first of its kind here in Ilocos Norte…makikita naman natin sa production, the lights and sounds, the level of preparation of the actors, nakaka-panindig balahibo, nakakaluha sa kasiyahan,” said award-winning Ilocano blogger and university professor Herdy La. Yumul.

With bigger venue this time, organizers hope for improvements on the set design, overall performance of the cast and more audience to have the chance to watch the play.

“The number of audience was limited during the play’s premier at Teatro Ilocandia in Batac. This time we want to give more people especially the Ilocano students and tourists coming in the province during the APEC-week holidays an opportunity to witness the play,” said Ilocos Norte Tourism Head Aianree Racquel.

Meanwhile, John Lennon Simisim said that what motivated him to take on the male lead role despite the challenges was that the musical has a significant message especially to young Ilocanos.

Director Jeremy dela Cruz encouraged more Ilocano youth to watch as “it is a retrospect of the 1970s and serves as guide to the future generation.”

Dela Cruz further said that “doing a musical play in Ilocos Norte, there is a big potential for us Ilocanos later on to showcase our talents in the musical theater in national and global arenas.”

With most of its cast are young Ilocanos, the restaging of "RAKENROL" is in line with the aim of the Marcos administration to develop the potentials of the youth in the fields of acting, directing, choreography and production design. (PNA)